社

社 is usually regarded as a phono-semantic compound:

示 (altar, spirit, ritual) – semantic element, referring to sacrifice, worship, or sacred gatherings;

土 (earth, soil) – phonetic element (to, sa).

However, many scholars also view 土 as having semantic value, making 社 also a semantic compound :

示 (altar) + 土 (earth) → originally indicating the Earth God (토지신) and sacrifices made to it.

Historical development:

In oracle bone and bronze inscriptions, 社 depicted an altar (示) with 木 (tree) over 土 (earth) – symbolizing a sacred place of worship to the Earth God.

Later, 木 was dropped and the form simplified to 示 + 土.

Over time, the meaning shifted from “Earth God, sacrifices to the Earth God” → “gatherings or rites for the Earth God” → “group, community, association.”

It express the concept of sacrifices to the Earth God. From this religious root, the meaning broadened to include gatherings for ritual purposes, then communities, associations, and in modern times, companies and society.

Semantic range:

- the Earth God – original meaning.

- sacrifice or rite for the Earth God.

- association, gathering, community.

- company, organization – modern usage (회사, 社會).

회사 (會社) – company, firm

사회 (社會) – society

사장 (社長) – company president

사원 (社員) – employee, company member